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Updated: 2/2/05 (For the absolutely latest ProRail & Rail News, go to ProRail latest news. A new browser window will appear.)
Wednesday, February 2, 2005 BUS TO PROPOSE END TO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR AMTRAK, SAYS NARP. The National Association of Railroad Passengers issued an "Action Alert" today in response to news reports that President Bush plans to push Congress to provide no federal funding for Amtrak, effective with the new budget year which begins Oct. 1. NARP reported that budget proposal will be formally released Monday afternoon (Feb. 7) at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters. NARP urged rail supporters to contact the White House and their House and Senate members "and let them know that any proposal to eliminate Amtrak funding is unacceptable." For the text of the NARP news release, go to http://www.narprail.org/amtrakzerofy06.htm
Monday, January 31, 2005 CRITIC PLANS PLANS FOR AMTRAK'S DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE STATION RENOVATION. A planned updating of Milwaukee's downtown train station is a "halfhearted fix-up" and "won't help downtown Amtrak station put a nice face on city," according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Whitney Gould. "Where are the folks from 'Extreme Makeover' when we really need them?," she asks. "No mere nips and tucks will turn our downtown Amtrak station from a turkey into a swan. Short of dynamiting it and starting over, which state transportation officials say would be too expensive, this derelict heap cries out for a radical overhaul." Read the rest of her comments at http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan05/297624.asp
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 HIGH SPEED RAIL WON'T DRAIN TAXES, SAYS CONSULTANT. The high-speed passenger rail network proposed for Wisconsin and eight other Midwestern states -- now projected to cost $7.7 billion, nearly double earlier estimates -- could operate at a profit without taxpayer assistance, a consultant pushing the plan said today. "This is the system that prevents you (from) having to have operating subsidies," Alexander Metcalf of Transportation Economics & Management Systems Inc. told rail proponents at a luncheon in Chicago. "It's already been done. It's already been achieved in 'corridors' of similar length elsewhere in the world." Read the rest of his comments at http://www.pjstar.com/stories/012705/REG_B5DPIGAA.050.shtml HIAWATHA TRAINS HAVE OWN WEB SITE. Amtrak and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation have established a special Web site just for the Hiawatha service route -- http://amtrakhiawatha.com It also displays a new Hiawatha logo for the Hiawatha trains running between Milwaukee and Chicago. There's also a link to a printable schedule card and a detailed map showing the location of the airport station, as well as a way to send an e-mail with any questions or comments directly to Amtrak. You also can find fares for trips and book tickets online; in addition, you can check out current promotions for the Hiawatha service at http://amtrakhiawatha.com/promotions.html. 20% DISCOUNT ON HIAWATHA TRAINS THROUGH MARCH. Amtrak is offering 20% off on its Hiawatha service trains through the end of March. According to Amtrak: "Save (20) percent off the best available regular (full) adult rail fare, senior and disabled discounted rail fare on Amtrak travel for the Hiawatha trains between Milwaukee and Chicago between 15Nov04 and 31Mar05. Other restrictions may apply. Request discount code H456 when you book online at www.amtrak.com, www.amtrakhiawatha.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Amtrak is a registered service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation." The promotion may be attractive to those wanting to try out the new Amtrak station at Gen. Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, which opened a week ago. It's primarily expected to attract travelers looking to avoid O'Hare International airport in Chicago, but it also may be a place for rail passengers in Wisconsin to start and end their rail trips. There's lots of parking near the station and the airport is served by several intercity bus companies. A shuttle bus connects the station and airport terminal and buses are scheduled at train times.
Monday, January 24, 2005 NEW AIRPORT STATION 'A BABY STEP'. The new passenger rail station at Milwaukee's Gen. Mitchell International Airport represents a "baby step" for a Midwest rail system, says the Capital Times' editor in his latest "Plain Talk" column. He says the new stop "promises to help ease some of the overcrowding at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport" and concludes: "Congress has got to take its blinders off and provide the resources to make (the planned Midwest rail system) happen." Read the full text of the column at http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/index.php?ntid=25745&ntpid=1 MILWAUKEE AMTRAK STATION REMODELING TO BEGIN IN SPRING. The State Department of Transportation hopes to start work in late spring on a $4 million overhaul of the Amtrak station in downtown Milwaukee, according to a report in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The joint effort by the state and private developers will transform the 40-year-old downtown Amtrak station into a hub for both trains and intercity buses. Work is to wrap up in spring 2006....(b)ut that's about a year behind schedule. Meanwhile, a Milwaukee alderman is threatening to hold up zoning change approvals over concerns about the design of the remodeled structure." Read the full text at http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan05/295692.asp SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE NEW AIRPORT STATION. Transportation reporter Larry Sandler responds to several questions from readers of his "Road Warrior" column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, asking about the new Mitchell airport Amtrak station. Where's the station? Can I take the train to O'Hare? Is it cheaper to ride from the airport to Chicago? Who would take a train from Mitchell to downtown? Read the answers at http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan05/295662.asp
Friday, January 21, 2005 PRORAIL MEETING CANCELLED. ProRail cancelled its monthly meeting set for tomorrow because of the weather, which dumped 7.2 inches of snow on Madison by the time it ended Saturday. The speaker and topic likely will be rescheduled. BUSINESS URGES USING AMTRAK TO AIRPORT. At least one company located in downtown Milwaukee is urging its employes to take Amtrak from the downtown station to the new airport station. "Inexpensive and convenient, the Amtrak train is a good way to get to the airport for business travel," says Assurant Health in a message today to staff. "Instead of taking a taxi, the airport shuttle, or parking at the airport you can park at work...and take the Hiawatha Service to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport."
Thursday, January 20, 2005 MIDWEST RAIL PLAN TOPIC OF SATURDAY'S MEETING. The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative will be the main topic at this month's ProRail meeting, set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 22), at the Middleton Library, 7429 Hubbard Ave. The plan for a high-speed passenger train network in nine Midwestern states recently was updated by the participating state governments, and a speaker from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (probably either Ethan Johnson or Randy Wade, both of whom have spoken to ProRail before) will be present to identify and discuss them. ProRail members who attended Tuesday's dedication of the new Amtrak station in Milwaukee at Gen. Mitchell International Airport also will be able to report on that event, and its meaning to those of us in central Wisconsin. There's again an optional breakfast at the nearby Bavaria Restaurant, 7457 Elmwood Ave. in Middleton. Both the breakfast and the meeting are open to the public. Reservations are not required. There's ample parking adjacent to both the restaurant and the library. FRIEND OF PASSENGER RAIL AWARD TO ZWEIFEL FEB. 26. Next month's meeting will be held Feb. 26, which will be ProRail's 20th birthday party and also presentation of ProRail's Friend of the Passenger Rail Award, named in honor of ProRail cofounder Pat Robbins, to David Zewifel, editor of the Capital Times (Madison, Wis.) More details will be announced.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 NEW MILWAUKEE AIRPORT AMTRAK STATION BEGINS SERVICE. Today was the first day for Amtrak's Hiawatha trains to the new $6.8 million rail station at Gen. Mitchell International Airport on the city's south side and in addition to the downtown station. Gov. Jim Doyle, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett cut the ribbon at 10 a.m. ceremonies preceding an 11 a.m.-1 p.m. open house for the public. Among those attending were members of the National Association of Rail Passengers, the Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers, and ProRail. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Doyle said the new station offered 'convenient, easy access' for Chicago travelers to use Mitchell and 'avoid all the hassles of O'Hare' International Airport. Barrett noted this station is closer to its airport and a shorter ride (usually three minutes) by free shuttle bus than Amtrak's other three airport depots in Baltimore, Newark, N.J., and Burbank, Calif. It's also an option for Milwaukee-area residents who might find the location more convenient than the downtown and Sturtevant depots, particularly during freeway reconstruction, said Adams and Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi." For the full text of the new story, go to http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan05/294315.asp Other notes: Midwest Airlines is the largest carrier at the airport, followed by Northwest Airlines....While the primary market for the service is other than area commuters traveling to and from the airport, fares between the airport and downtown Milwaukee are $6 each way and $7 between Sturtevant (Racine County) and the airport (or $8 to downtown)....Parking at the airport station is $5 a day, with free shuttle service to the nearby airport terminal and its amenities (rental cars, restaurants, etc.) for passengers arriving and departing by rail....We're told informally the "No Overnight Parking" sign in the 300-space parking lot will be removed soon....Advertising to promote use of the new stop is scheduled to begin next week. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE. If you'd like to take a train trip but are short on either cash, time, or both, the Hiawatha service between the downtown Milwaukee station and the new station at Gen. Mitchell International Airport offers an option. It's just 11 minutes and 8 miles each way for the $6 fare. DANE COUNTY AIRPORT SETS PASSENGER RECORD. Passenger traffic at the Dane County airport, the site of a proposed Amtrak station serving south central Wisconsin, was up 5.5 per cent in 2004 over a year earlier, to nearly 1.7 million passengers. That exceeds the 2-3 per cent average rate of growth nationally which is expected when final figures are available. The improvement in use of the local airport was credited, in part, to a robust regional economy. Amtrak has proposed adding Madison to its network in 2008 and Madison also is promised multiple daily frequencies with Milwaukee, Chicago and the Twin Cities under the Midwest Regional Rail plan. For the latest Dane County airport data, go to http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=24961&ntpid=3
Monday, January 17, 2005 HIAWATHA RIDERSHIP SETS RECORDS FOR DECEMBER AND YEAR. Ridership on Amtrak's Hiawatha trains between Milwaukee and Chicago set all-time records for 2004 and December, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Ridership on the route was up 8 per cent for the year, from 433,668 in 2004 to 470,149, and up 17 per cent between Decembers to 45,791 last month. CHICAGO NEWSPAPER NOTES BIRTH OF THE "O'HARE BYPASS." The Chicago Tribune today described the new air-rail link at Milwaukee's airport which opens Tuesday as the long-awaited "O'Hare bypass" and a strengthening of the Milwaukee facility's claim as "the third airport" serving Chicagoland. "The 74-minute train ride from (Chicago's) Union Station to the Milwaukee airport (52 minutes from the Glenview station) will likely tempt many airline passengers weary of the travel hassles at congested O'Hare International Airport but who haven't discovered the convenience of Mitchell," wrote the paper's transportation reporter. Airport officials have long promoted Milwaukee as a way to avoid the "O'Hare ORDeal" (ORD is airport code for O'Hare), given Milwaukee's excess capacity and excellent on-time record. AMTRAK BREAKS CAPITOL LIMITED-SILVER STAR CONNECTION. Amtrak has broken the connection between the eastbound Chicago-Washington Capitol Limited and the southbound New York-Miami Silver Star at Washington, meaning it no longer will sell thru tickets on the two trains. The trains have provided the best connections for Wisconsin passengers vacationing at Disney World and visiting other Florida destinations. According to the National Association of Railroad Passengers, that change "is due to the 'high number of misconnected passengers' between these two trains. NARP has protested the decision to break this connection to Amtrak management, pointing out that the one hour forty one minute connection is well within Amtrak‚s connection minimum, that the performance of the eastbound Capitol Limited generally makes the connection, and that breaking the connection eliminates the possibility of Midwest to Raleigh, Columbia, and Tampa rail travel." The eastbound Capitol Limited is scheduled to arrive in D.C. at 12:24 p.m. daily, while the southbound New York-Miami Silver Star leaves D.C. at 2:05 p.m. daily. The information appears in the NARP Hotline #381 issued today. For the full Hotline, go to http://www.narprail.org/hot381.htm (Note: The Hotline account left unclear whether the north and westbound Star and Capitol were also affected by the change; they're not. That since has been clarified by NARP and is correctly reported here.)
Monday, January 10, 2005 HIAWATHA RIDERSHIP UP BETWEEN NOVEMBERS AND OVER YEAR. Ridership rose 10 per cent between Novembers on Amtrak's Milwaukee-to-Chicago line, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in today's editions. The passenger count of 42,332 for November compared to 38,827 in the same month a year earlier. For the first 11 months of 2004, ridership on the Hiawatha trains was up 8 per cent over the year, to 424,395. The newspaper cited data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as the source of its report. STURTEVANT'S OLD DEPOT MAY FACE DEMOLITION. With a new $3.2 million depot planned for the nearby Renaissance business park here, the Canadian Pacific Railroad which owns the nearly 100-year-old structure now used by Amtrak -- and the adjacent parking lot -- appears interested in either finding a buyer who will move the building or raze the structure. For more details, read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story at http://www.jsonline.com/news/racine/oct04/265421.asp.
Sunday, January 9, 2005 STATE JOURNAL ENDORSES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MIDWEST REGIONAL RAIL. Madison's morning newspaper, the Wisconsin State Journal, called on Congress in its Jan. 9 editions to fund the Midwest high-speed rail project. The editorial argues "(i)t's time for Congress to address growing highway and airport congestion by bankrolling the plan to create a Midwest network of high- speed trains. And given the benefits that Madison and the rest of Wisconsin would gain from high-speed rail service, the state's congressional delegation ought to lead the effort to put the project on track." Madison's other newspaper, the Capital Times, already is on record in favor of funding this effort. Read the full text of the Wisconsin State Journal editorial at http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/opinion/index.php?ntid=23894&ntpid=3 Show your own support for Midwest Regional Rail by posting your comments about this project and/or the editorial online at the newspaper's Web site. Follow the link at the bottom of the editorial. Readers can scroll to the bottom of the editorial and click on the link to post comments on the editorial, or. go directly to the comments at http://www.madison.com/post/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1280 In addition, or in the alternative, write a letter to the editor for publication in the print editions. You can do it by e-mail through the newspaper's Web site.
Friday, January 7, 2005 NARP URGES CONTACTS WITH LEGISLATORS. Now that the 109th Congress has been seated and sworn in, the National Associatoin of Railroad Passengers is urging in its Hotline 380 -- at http://www.narprail.org/hot380.htm -- that rail suppors take advantage of this "excellent time to contact your House and Senate members and a) remind returning legislators of the importance of Amtrak and b) introduce freshman legislators to Amtrak issues. Go to our Legislative Contacts page to see how to send a message. U.S. Mail to Capitol Hill addresses is still significantly delayed due to security concerns; send a fax or e-mail to Capitol Hill offices, U.S. Mail to district offices." NEW ISSUE OF KEEPING TRACK FOCUSES ON MIDWEST RAIL PLAN. The latest issue of ProRail's newsletter, Keeping Track, was mailed to members today. The main article in the four-page issue, dated Dec. 31, provides an update and analysis of the Midwest Regional High Speed Rail Initiative. (For the text of that article, go to http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/mrricosts.php) Other articles discuss the upcoming opening of Milwaukee's new Amtrak station at General Mitchell International Airport, plans for celebrating on Feb. 22 ProRail's 20th birthday anniversary, the results of ProRail's recent elections, comments from ProRail President Keith Plasterer, and the schedule of upcoming ProRail and rail-related meetings in Wisconsin and Chicago.
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 SECOND MILWAUKEE AMTRAK STATION OPENS JAN. 18! A new Amtrak station at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport is expected to open for service Tuesday, Jan. 18, according to the latest word from Amtrak. Milwaukee thus will join a handful of U.S. cities offering train-plane service. While the main market is expected to be those from the north side of Chicago bypassing O'Hare in favor of Mitchell, the station also may prove attractive to those beginning and ending their Amtrak trips in Milwaukee. That includes those traveling to Milwaukee from Madison and other Wisconsin cities via car and bus to make their connections. The airport offers an array of services not otherwise available at the downtown station, which remains open. All Hiawatha trains, but not Amtrak's "Empire Builder," will make the airport stop, which will be coded as MKA on tickets. The station will not be staffed. Fares may be paid on board without extra charge. A free shuttle will operate the short distance between the station and the airport terminal. Departure times already are listed in Amtrak's winter timetables for the Hiawatha trains. Formal dedication ceremonies have not yet been announced by the Wisconsin Department of Transporation, which is building the facility. For more details about the station from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, go to http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/gmia.htm
Monday, January 3 PRORAIL BOARD ELECTS OFFICERS. Keith Plasterer was re-elected ProRail President for his second one-year term at tonight's January Board meeting. Others chosen were David Jopke, First Vice President; Nona Hill, Treasurer; Judy Siegfried, Secretary; Royce Williams, Vice President Passenger Affairs; and Andrew Sihler, Vice President Membership. Also continuing as Immediate Past President is Ken Burbach. Left vacant for now was the post of Vice President Public Relations. NEXT MEETING PLANNED. The ProRail Board also scheduled ProRail's next general public meeting for Satuday, Jan. 22, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Middleton Public Library, 7429 Hubbard Ave. We'll meet downstairs; there's elevator access for those wishing it. An optional pre-meeting breakfast is set for 8 a.m. at the nearby Bavaria Restaurant, 7457 Elmwood Ave., Middleton. No reservations are required for either event; for the breakfast, order from the menu. Come to this meeting to learn about the latest developments with rail passenger service.
Saturday, January 1, 2005 TRAVEL ADVISORY: MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN AMTRAK STATION ACCESS. If you're starting or ending your train trip at the Milwaukee Amtrak station, you need to be aware of the major reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange -- the downtown junction of I-94, I-43 and I-794 -- now underway next to the station. For updates on ramp and lane closures and alternate routes, go to http://mchange.org/ For a Jan. 1 progress report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, go to http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/dec04/289164.asp
Monday, December 27, 2004 MIDWEST RAIL PROJECT COSTS INCREASE. The projected cost of the proposed Midwestern network of high-speed trains now stands at $7.7 billion, with $1.2 billion of that required in Wisconsin, a new report shows. The federal share would be $6.2 billion. Read today's news account by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/dec04/287778.asp
Tuesday, December 14, 2004 HIGH-SPEED RAIL OFFERS BENEFITS TO WISCONSIN, MIDWEST: REPORT A Midwest Regional Rail System report confirms the viability of a 3,000-mile rail network stretching through Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. A high-speed rail network radiating from Chicago's Union Station through those nine Midwestern states could carry 13.6 million passengers annually by 2025, according to the report. "The success of the Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee provides a solid foundation to extend modern passenger rail service to Madison and other locations in Wisconsin," said Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi. "We have the best on-time performance of any Amtrak service in the country and Hiawatha ridership has continued to increase." Copies of the official Executive Report are available online at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/rail.htm The accompanying news release can be viewed at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/news/news/2004general/opa-mwrri252.htm
(Note: Archives from Aug. 29 through Dec. 13 currently are unavailable.)
Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004 AMTRAK PLAN, FAVORITE DESTINATIONS TODAY'S MEETING TOPICS. Highlights of Amtrak‚s updated five-year strategic plan that includes expanding service to Madison were explained by ProRail Director Royce Williams at today's monthly ProRail meeting, with a 10-page handout reproducing selected portions of the Amtrak document. Other Directors -- Ken Burbach, Ed Kramer, Bob Lenz and Mike McCoy -- also explained their reasons for suggesting rail trips to their nominations as "favorite destinations" -- Churchill (Canada), Tucson, San Franciso, Minneapolis, San Diego, and Winslow (Ariz.) -- this fall and winter. Each provided information about what to see and do in their nominated area, and how to use Amtrak and local transportation to get there and get around. It was the second meeting this year to spotlight "Favorite Destinations by Train." The next meeting is Sept. 18.
Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 NARP REVISES ITS "ACTION ALERT" LEAFLET. The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) announced today it has updated its "Action Alert" flyer for rail passenger supporters to download, copy and distribute in stations, on board trains, or at other appropriate venues. The leaflet highlights the current Amtrak federal funding issues. It's at http://www.narprail.org/flyer.htm. (You also can find it by going to http://www.narprail.org, then clicking on "Action Alert" and scrolling to the bottom of that page). DEVELOPER BIDS FOR LA CROSSE AMTRAK STATION. Only one developer has submitted a proposal by the deadline to buy the currently city-owned building housing Amtrak's La Crosse station, built in 1926 by the Milwaukee Road, according to today's La Crosse Tribune. But it's still unclear how committed the city is to the sale. Amtrak uses about 2,000 of the 13,000-square feet. A new tenant is Jefferson Lines, which began service this month in the area, replacing Greyhound. http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/08/27/news/z00amtrack.txt
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 KENOSHA-MILWAUKEE METRA SERVICE PLAN ADVANCING. Southeastern Wisconsin authorities are close to a deal that would allow the start of preliminary engineering on a $152 million plan to extend Chicago's Metra commuter trains from Kenosha to Racine and downtown Milwaukee, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today. There's also coverage on the latest on commuter rail plans in Madison. http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/aug04/253683.asp
Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004 PASSENGER PLEADS GUILTY TO "EMPIRE BUILDER" BOMB THREAT CHARGES. Michael Conwill says it was hot peppers and the allergic reaction they caused that prompted the bomb threats he made against an Amtrak train. He plead guilty today in federal court in Madison to making the threats in 911 calls from his cell phone July 6 while aboard Amtrak's eastbound "Empire Builder" between Wisconsin Dells and Portage. Nearly 300 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the train at Portage. He faces up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, three years of probation and restitution which Amtrak estimates at $100,000. Sentencing was set for Nov. 10. Here's the Wisconsin State Journal account of the court hearing: http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=wsj:2004:08:25:383692:FRONT
Monday, Aug. 23, 2004 COMMUTER RAIL PLAN UNVEILED. Local governmental officials today unveiled a $52.8 million plan for a 12-mile "starter" diesel-electric hybrid commuter rail system serving the area. It would use existing track from Middleton running along University Avenue to Madison's near west side, coupled with new in-street rails looping around downtown and serving UW Hospitals, Camp Randall Stadium, the Kohl Center, Capitol Square, and other facilities. Meanwhile, Madison Mayor David Cieslewicz favors continued study of a streetcar alternative. Read the Capital Times coverage at http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:08:23:383529:FRONT. Wisconsin State Journal: http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=wsj:2004:08:24:383601:LOCAL/WI SCONSIN. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Aug. 25 report is at http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/aug04/253683.asp. RAIL CONGESTION EXPECTED TO WORSEN. The Dallas Morning News today reported that shippers fear that the upcoming busy season for freight traffic may worsen rail service delays. That's because the current gridlock facing the nation's rail infrastructure comes even before the busiest time of the year, when shippers ramp up for the winter and Christmas. Most Amtrak trains use privately-owned freight tracks and many already are routinely running late because of freight congestion.
Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004 STURTEVANT AMTRAK STATION CONSTRUCTION "ON HOLD." Federal funding for a new Amtrak station at Sturtevant (Racine), Wis., may expire before local officials can come to agreement among themselves and then with the Canadian Pacific to proceed, according to a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Village president, a project supporter, remains somewhat optimistic that disagreements can yet be resolved. Ridership increases show a growing need, he says. http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug04/252887.asp OREGON TUNNEL USED BY "COAST STARLIGHT" TO REOPEN. The Union Pacific has announced it plans to reopen Monday night an Oregon tunnel used for both freight trains and Amtrak's "Coast Starlight." The tunnel has been closed since Aug. 14 due to a fire. For more details: http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=70376
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004 "KEEPING TRACK" MAILED TO MEMBERS. The August 2004 issue of "Keeping Track," ProRail's newsletter for members, began arriving in mailboxes today. The issue contains information about the endorsement by Gov. Doyle and both of the state's U.S. Senators of Amtrak's FY 2005 $1.8 billion funding request; a report on ridership increases on Amtrak's Midwest routes (including the Hiawatha Corridor trains); an update on construction of a new Amtrak station at Milwaukee's airport; and details about ProRail's Aug. 28 public meeting on the latest rail developments.
Friday, Aug. 20, 2004 RAIL ADVOCATES WIN 'HUGE VICTORY. The bi-partisan pro-Amtrak letter urging the Senate to provide full-funding for Amtrak for FY 2005 was sent to Senate leaders today with 51 Senators signing it, and at least several others indicating in other ways their support. The National Association of Railroad Passengers said passenger rail supporters "should consider this letter a huge victory," particularly given "the budget climate on Capitol Hill for non-defense/Homeland Security programs." More details: http://www.narprail.org/hot361.htm MIDWEST HIGH SPEED RAIL WOULD LESSEN O'HARE CONGESTION. If the Midwest High Speed Rail Initiative had been constructed when it should have been, and funded with the east of interstate highway projects, the delays at O'Hare "would by no means be as severe today," says the National Association of Railroad Passengers in the latest Hotline. "Hundreds of short-haul flights operated primarily by propeller plans and regional jets, which take up as much air traffic control as a 747 jumbo jet) would not be necessary." More details: http://www.narprail.org/hot361.htm
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 AMTRAK'S COAST STARLIGHT SERVICE DISRUPTED. Service on Amtrak's LA-Seattle "Coast Starlight" will be disrupted in Oregon indefinitely because of a tunnel fire that started Monday. For more details, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prorailtravel/message/485. SEE A REMODELED SUPERLINER. Amtrak unveiled its first full-rebuilt Superliner I today. Interior photos and a description of the changes have been posted by the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Go to http://www.narprail.org/hot361.htm, then see the second page for a link.
Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 AMTRAK TERMINATES TWIN CITIES-DULUTH THRUWAY. Greyhound's elimination of service to over 200 cities in 18 states took effect today, and one of the casualties was an Amtrak Thruway bus serving Minneapolis, Cloquette, Sandstone, and Duluth, all in Minnesota, and easily accessible to those in Superior, Wis. More details: http://www.narprail.org/hot361.htm AMTRAK AN OPTION FOR MANY COMMUNITIES LOSING GREYHOUND SERVICE. Amtrak identified 39 Wisconsin communities losing Greyhound bus service today that still have Amtrak rail or bus service (6 cities), or are within two hours of a location served by Amtrak (33 cities). Read the complete Amtrak news release and list of cities at http://www.amtrak.com/press/ad200408180789a.html TRAINS BETTER RESPONSE TO O'HARE CONGESTION. ProRail Director Ed Kramer, noting recent news coverage about flight congestion at O'Hare airport, today called the public's attention to a "simple answer to the problem: fast and frequent rail service as proposed in the Midwest High Speed Rail Initiative." He did it in a letter to the editor in today's Wisconsin State Journal. "Up to 400 miles or so, rail service can be as quick or quicker than flying." For the full text of his letter, it's the second item at http://www.madison.com/wsj/opinion/letters/index.php?ntid=8647&ntpid=2
Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 BNSF DENIES 'EMPIRE BUILDER' ROUTE IN NORTH DAKOTA THREATENED. A portion of the route used by Amtrak's Chicago-Seattle/Portland "Empire Builder" is not at risk of abandonment, according to an official of the freight railroad which owns the track, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The remarks were in response to a recent Amtrak report which labeled the track between Grand Forks and Minot as "at risk" for future passenger train use. Read the text of the Fargo, N.D., Forum news story at <http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=66975§ion=News> Read comments by the National Association of Railroad Passengers on page 2 of its Aug. 20 Hotline, at http://www.narprail.org/hot361.htm.
Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 GOVERNOR LAUDS AMTRAK'S HIAWATHAS FOR TRAIN-PLANE CONNECTIONS. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today pointed to a new Amtrak station at Milwaukee's General Mitchell airport as another reason why airlines at overcrowded O'Hare International Airport in Chicago should consider moving some flights northward. In a letter to 14 airlines with O'Hare operations, Doyle said Amtrak's Hiawatha Service "offers seven daily round trips and serves almost 1,200 passengers per day, with consistent double-digit percentage growth in ridership over the past year." A new airport Amtrak stop opening late this fall "will offer convenient and productive trip times to downtown Chicago in about 80 minutes, not much more and often less than the rush hour taxi time from O'Hare to downtown Chicago." Read the Governor's news release, with a link to the full text of the letter, at http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=697
Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 TRAVEL THE BADGER STATE ON NEW AMTRAK DISCOUNT. Amtrak is offering savings between Chicago and St. Paul-Minneapolis with the "Wisconsin Stopover Ticket" it unveiled today, and on sale from Aug. 31 through Dec. 16, 2004. It's good for travel on the Empire Builder and Hiawatha Service trains from Sept. 7 through Dec. 16 to or from any of 10 destinations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. The fare code which must be used when booking a reservation is YOWX. Read the Amtrak announcement at http://www.amtrak.com/press/atk20040812074.html
Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 FALL, WINTER TRAIN TRAVEL IDEAS TO BE OFFERED AUG. 28. Favorite destinations you can reach by train this fall and winter will be the main topic at ProRail's next meeting for members and the public, to be held Saturday, Aug. 28, at 9:30 a.m. We'll meet in the lower level of the Public Library, 7426 Hubbard Ave., Middleton (Madison suburb). (The library opens at 9 a.m.) The meeting is unreserved and there's no fee. Destinations selected for the presentation are Churchill (Canada), San Diego, and Tucson. Each will be described by an experienced train rider familiar with each route. We'll also talk about the latest rail passenger developments affecting Wisconsin and the U.S. There's an optional pre-meeting breakfast at the Bavarian restaurant, 7457 Elmwood Ave., Middleton, at 8 a.m. Reservations required by 6 p.m. Aug. 27; send to prorail@hotmail.com with the word "breakfast" in the subject line or call Bob Lenz at 608/849-4569.
Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 TRAIN DELAY ADVISORY ISSUED. ProRail today issued an advisory to those traveling Amtrak urging them for the foreseeable future to plan for trip delays; it also offers tips on what to do in advance of trips, and when en route, to lessen the impact of delays or disruptions. Amtrak trains are getting caught up in freight train congestion, among other factors. Download the advisory at http://www.prorail.com/delays.doc.
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004 AMTRAK DELAYS RISING, SAYS WALL STREET JOURNAL. Today's Wall Street Journal reports on Amtrak's problems in keeping its trains on time this summer. "Taking the Slow Train: Amtrak Delays Rise Sharply" points to freight railroad problems as the main cause for what Amtrak says is its worst on-time performance (in July) in memory. Also noted: lack of train frequencies limiting travel alternatives. Last month, 63% of trains were ontime, compared to 74% in March. The numbers have been declining since March. Some train-specific July numbers: Sunset Limited 0% (for the fifth month in a row); Coast Starlight 16%; Capitol Limited 13%; Lake Shore Limited 15%; and Southwest Chief 27%. Read it online at http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/business/article/0,1375,VCS_128_310259 9,00.html or check with your local library. (Be sure to click on the related story link you'll find there.) TRAIN BOMB THREAT SUSPECT ARRAIGNED. The man accused of making bomb threats that halted Amtrak's eastbound Empire Builder at Portage July 6 was arraigned in federal court in Madison today. His attorney was quoted as saying his client, Michael Dean Conwill, 35, will plead guilty -- probably Aug. 24, his next court date. Conwill was aboard the train and was arrested in Chicago while he waited to board a connecting train. Conwill remains in jail. More information: http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:08:10:382091:METRO
Monday, Aug. 9, 2004 PRORAIL BOARD ENDORSES AMTRAK IMPROVEMENT PLAN. ProRail's Board tonight endorsed Amtrak's latest five-year-plan which includes adding Madison to the national Amtrak system. It also endorsed the text of a ProRail advisory urging train passengers to anticipate and plan for delays and approved sending thank you letters to Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russell Feingold, and Wisconsin Governor James Doyle, for their support of Amtrak's FY2005 budget request; planning the Aug. 28 and Sept. 18 ProRail general meetings. Also on the agenda was a review of decisions made Saturday at the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers Board meeting and WisARP's recently-revised goals list; and developed procedures for completing work soon on ProRail's goals through December 2005. The latter will be presented to the membership as soon as the Board approves the final list.
Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 AMTRAK ON-TIME PERFORMANCE REMAINS POOR. July was another bad month for Amtrak's long-distance trains, with nine posting on-time performance between 0 and 25%, according to the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Only four trains arrived on-time half the time or more, NARP said. That included the Empire Builder, at about 50%. For the brief report listing the trains by name as well as the latest Amtrak and passenger-rail related news, go to http://www.narprail.org, then click on "Hotline" and then #359.
Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004 AMTRAK'S PERE MARQUETTE RIDERSHIP UP. Ridership on Amtrak's Pere Marquette line between Chicago and Grand Rapids, Mich., is up 22% in the most recent fiscal year, carrying nearly 74,000 passengers. The success was noted by Holland, Mich., Mayor George Hartwell during cermonies marking the route's 20th anniversary. The train's route "mirrors" a planned Chicago-Madison Amtrak route in several ways, including distance, population, and being college towns. For more details, see the third item in Hotline #359 at http://www.narprail.org. For Michigan coverage of the anniversary, go to http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw102319_20040805.htm.
Friday, July 30, 2004 TRACK AT MADISON AIRPORT BEING RELOCATED. Dane County officials today received $14.6 million in federal funds for various Dane County airport improvements, including a move further west of the rail line which runs north and south just west of the airport terminal. The total project will cost between $22-26 million. The long-term plan is to build a new terminal further west of the present terminal, with Amtrak one of the tenants for its planned Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-Twin Cities service. The trains would use the relocated track. http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:07:30:380859:METRO CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY FOR STATION AT MILWAUKEE AIRPORT. The foundation now is being poured for the new Amtrak station at Gen. Mitchell International Airport on Milwaukee's south side, according to a visit by a WisARP officer in Milwaukee. The constructoin appears on track for the scheduled opening on November 1, 2004. MADISON-LA CROSSE-MINNEAPOLIS BUS SERVICE TO CONTINUE. Jefferson Lines of Minneapolis has agreed to take over one of the Wisconsin bus routes being abandoned by Greyhound Aug. 17, according to news reports. Jefferson will offer daily round-trip service between Madison and Minneapolis starting Aug. 18 along the same route as Greyhound followed, including stops at Cross Plains, Black Earth, Mazomanie, Spring Green, Lone Rock and Richland Center, as well as La Crosse and Winona, Minn. La Crosse and Winona also are served by Amtrak's Empire Builder. More information: http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul04/247483.asp CONTINUED HIGHWAY CONGESTION PREDICTED. The president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is predicting that the next couple of decades are going to wreak havoc on our highways, according to Capital Times columnist (and editor) Dave Zweifel in today's column. "If you're already frustrated by the number of 18-wheelers rumbling down the interstate, just wait," he said. He quoted John Njord, association president as saying the number of commercial trucks will double in the next 20 years. Zweifel's assessment: "I can't help wonder how many clogged lanes it will take to make us realize there are other ways to get ourselves and our goods around than just on paved highways." Read the full text at http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:07:30:380846:EDITORIAL
July 28, 2004 'ROLLING HISTORY' ON EMPIRE BUILDER. Amtrak's Empire Builder is one of five Amtrak trains offering commentary about the Lewis & Clark Voyage of Discovery, according to a travel feature in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The "rolling history" lesson, which is a joint Amtrak-National Park Service "Trails & Rails" project, is scheduled on westbound trains between between North Dakota and Washington State. The train operates between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, with Wisconsin stops in Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah and La Crosse. Portions of the trip pass along the historic Lewis & Clark route. For an example of how the service operates aboard one of the other participating trains, the Ann Rutledge between St. Louis and Jefferson, Mo., go to http://www.jsonline.com/dd/destnat/jul04/246710.asp. For more information: http://lewisandclarktrail.com/trailadventures/tours/amtrak.htm.
July 27, 2004 MORE DETAILS SURFACE ABOUT FAKE BOMB THREAT ON AMTRAK TRAIN IN WISCONSIN. A Juneau County (Wis.) newspaper reported today more details about how law enforcement officers identified, then arrested, a man in Chicago for the fake bomb report that halted Amtrak's eastbound Empire Builder in Portage, Wisconsin, in early July (see July 8 entry below for more details). It also said Michael D. Conwill, who faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, will make a court appearance in Madison shortly. For the complete text: http://star-times.scwn.com/articles/2004/07/27/news/news09.txt
Friday, July 23, 2004 NARP PROVIDES FY2005 FUNDING UPDATE. The latest NARP Hotline reports on the House Appropriations decision to provide less funding in FY2005 than even President Bush asked for, passenger rail-related recommendations by the 9/11 Commission, changes in handling passengers in Texas Eagle thru cars on the eastbound Sunset Limited, Union Pacific congestion, support for high-speed rail in Los Angeles, and other topics. For details, go to http://www.narprail.org, then click on "Hotline News," and then click on Hotline #357.
Thursday, July 22, 2004 GOVERNOR DOYLE SUPPORTS FULL AMTRAK FUNDING. Wisconsin Gov. James Doyle is among 19 U.S. Governors signing a bipartisan letter urging that Congress fund Amtrak at $1.8 billion for FY 2005 (Oct. 1, 2004-Sept. 30, 2005). The letter was sent this week to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, according to the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Gov. Doyle, one of five midwestern Governors signing the letter, joined the group in stating that "continued and improved Amtrak service is a vital component of the transportation systems in our states." Approval of the funding request would allow Amtrak to "continue to make progress improving the quality and reliability of passenger rail service throughout the nation." For the full text of the letter and names of all who signed it, go to http://www.narprail.org and click on "Action Alert." Then scroll down the page to find the information about the Governor's Letter. Suggestion: Please contact Gov. Doyle's office and thank him for his support. For contact information, go to ProRail's special Web page at http://www.prorail.com/contacts.html.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004 HAVE A FAVORITE PLACE TO GO BY TRAIN IN THE FALL OR WINTER? Our next meeting, on Aug. 28, will focus on a handful of trips to places in North America that you can reach by train. We've already identified a couple, and are looking for additional suggestions from those able to make the meeting and make a presentation. Ideally, it's a trip you've taken yourself or at least are planning on taking. The focus is on the destination, but with some explanation as to how the train fits in. We're shooting for presentations of 8-10 minutes in length, but some adjustments are possible if that's too tight. Want to find out more or make your offer to be included as a presenter? Contact us at prorail@hotmail.com or call Mike McCoy at 608/274-1638 Our program that Saturday will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Middleton Public Library. There's also an optional breakfast for all those attending the meeting; it's at the nearby Bavarian restaurant. We'll announce more details soon, but you also can confirm details of all upcoming ProRail events anytime at http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/events.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004 MAYOR PROMOTES TROLLEY CAR LINE. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's plan for a Madison trolley car line drew "cautious optimism" today from board members of Downtown Madison Inc., according to the Capital Times. "Cieslewicz showed pictures from his recent tour of Portland, Ore., and its light rail trolley system," according to the newspaper. "He visited the Pacific Northwest city in mid-June in a group that included city planners, City Council members and private developers. 'We need to develop a market and culture in Madison of people who will live car-free,' Cieslewicz said. "The pictures showed ultra-modern trolley cars carrying Oregonians through downtown Portland. The trolley cars have been tremendously popular in Portland, with restaurants offering 'trolley specials' and 5,600 people riding the trolleys daily -- well beyond the initial estimate of 3,500." For the rest of the story: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=7127.
Monday, July 19, 2004 PRORAIL BOARD EXPLORING ACTIVITIES TO UNDERTAKE THROUGH 2005. The ProRail Board held a special meeting tonight as it began considering of dozens of ideas about activities it should undertake through the end of 2005. Board members had shared the ideas among themselves over the last couple of months after announcing at the May general membership meeting plans to develop an 18-month action list for 2004-2005. Tonight's discussion generated additional ideas which will be considered as the Board continues to meet. The list will be announced soon. AUGUST BOARD MEETING. Board meetings are open to all ProRail members. The next Board meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., in the second floor conference room in the Community Service Center, Inc., building at 517 N. Segoe Rd. Because of building security policities, arrive by 6:55 p.m. or let us know at prorail@hotmail.com what time to meet you at the entrance. Reconfirm this and other upcoming ProRail events anytime at http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/events. RAIL SALE LIST UPDATED. Amtrak's latest Rail Sale was posted at its Web site today, and among other offerings included the following one-way coach fares (double for roundtrip purchases) on selected routes and trains to and from Chicago: St. Louis, $11.80; Kansas City, $30.00; Grand Rapids, Mich., $8.60; Detroit, $17.10, Indianapolis, $6.20, and under $40 for travel to and from Boston, New York, or Washington, D.C. For the complete list of offerings and conditions, go to http://tickets.amtrak.com/Amtrak/railsale.
Friday, July 9, 2004 KOHL, FEINGOLD SUPPORT FULL AMTRAK FUNDING. The National Association of Railroad Passengers confirmed today that both of Wisconsin Senators, Herbert Kohl and Russell Feingold, were among 41 Senators who thus far had signed a letter urging fellow Senators to appropriate $1.789 billion for Amtrak for the next federal fiscal year. Among others signing the bipartisan letter were both Senators from Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, as well as Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Action on Amtrak appropriations appears to have been delayed until the September session. For the text of this week's NARP Hotline which provides more details about the letter and other developments affecting Amtrak, go to http://www.narprail.org, then click on "Hotline" and then Hotline #355. Suggestion: please contact both Wisconsin Senators to let them know you appreciate their support. For contact information, go to ProRail's Web page at http://www.prorail.com/contacts.html If you live outside Wisconsin and wish to contact your Senator, go to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. For the House, go to http://www.house.gov/writerep
Thursday, July 8, 2004 NEWSPAPER CALLS FOR UPGRADED SECURITY FOR TRAIN PASSENGERS. The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison's morning newspaper, said in an editorial that a bomb scare on Amtrak's Empire Builder Tuesday as it passed through Wisconsin "exposes a real threat: America's rail system is terribly vulnerable to attack." About 280 passengers were evacuated at the Amtrak station in Portage, about 45 minutes north of Madison, following bomb threats called in to 911 centers in neighboring counties. Authorities spent nearly six hours searching the Chicago-bound train, finding only fireworks and an illegally concealed weapon. (Later Thursday, law enforcement officers in Chicago arrested a passenger who had been on the train; he has been accused of making the threats from a cell phone he carried and faces federal charges.) "(T)he incident reminds us that more than two years after the Sept. 11 attacks, American mass transit -- railways, subways and buses -- still desperately need a major security upgrade," the editorial noted. "In fact, our preoccupation with air travel may only push the terror threat in other directions. Americans take more than 11 million trips a day by bus, train and subway, compared with 1.8 million by air. Yet Homeland Security officials have issued only $115 million in rail security grants -- pennies compared to the $12 billion spent on airport security since 2001....Officials ought to be much more concerned about protecting Amtrak's 24 million annual rail passengers, among others." For the rest of the editorial, go to http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=wsj:2004:07:08:378363:OPINION
Wednesday, July 7, 2004 CAPITAL TIMES EDITOR SAYS AMTRAK'S PLAN FOR MADISON 'HAS IT RIGHT.' The editor of Madison's afternoon newspaper said in his "Plain Talk" column today that Amtrak's plan to extend service to Madison by 2008 "has it right. It would do more than run a couple of inconveniently timed trains that wind up attracting few riders. Instead, it would begin with six round trips per day at 110 miles an hour and eventually increase them to 10 daily round trips. That would give people choices, allowing them to leave at different times in the morning and arrive at different times in the evening....Congress needs to give its OK now." Read the entire column by Dave Zweifel of the Capital Times at http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:07:07:378277:EDITORIAL.
Tuesday, July 6, 2004 AMTRAK PLAN FOR MADISON 'A TIME FOR BOLDNESS.' Amtrak's announcement that it is planning to bring train service to Madison by 2008 "should inspire officials in Madison and other cities along the route to action," according to an editorial in today's Capital Times. According to the afternoon daily newspaper, "this is a rare opportunity to gain the resources necessary to create a new and necessary transportation option for this region....This is a time for boldness. The Amtrak proposal provides an opening for Madison and other Wisconsin communities to achieve a long-deferred dream that high-speed rail could become a reality here." For the complete text, go to http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=tct:2004:07:06:378179:EDITORIAL.
Monday, July 5, 2004 BOARD ACTIONS. The ProRail Board met tonight and, among other topics, assessed the impact of upcoming Greyhound bus service cutbacks in Wisconsin and other states along the Empire Builder route; confirmed plans for the July 10 general membership meeting with Ethan Johnson of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as guest speaker and the Aug. 28 meeting spotlighting favorite trips for the fall and winter by rail, and reviewed the successful bus trip to Milwaukee June 11 to participate in the 75th anniversary ceremonies for the Empire Builder. The Board also formally received an original of the Governor's Proclamation saluting the historic train and identified a variety of action items for consideration at future Board meetings. The next Board meetings were confirmed for July 19 (special meeting to review proposed ProRail objectives and plan through 2005), Aug. 9, Sept. 6 (Labor Day), Oct. 4, and Nov. 1. Board meetings are open to all ProRail members.
Sunday, July 4, 2004 RAIL/CRUISE PROGRAM ADDS NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES. Amtrak offers a cruise/rail program with train fare discounts of up to 25 per cent, with Norwegian Cruise Line the latest addition to the program. For the cruise lines involved, it appears to be a bid to attract customers who don't want to put up with airport delays, long baggage lines, and jammed flight cabins. According to travel writer Arline Bleecher in the today's Indianapolis Star, other cruise line partners with Amtrak are Carnival, Holland America, America West Steamboat Co., and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. (Amtrak's Web site currently only lists Carnival and Holland America as partners, however.) Bleecher "cruisers" can find information on Amtrak fares, pickup points, times, locations and blackout dates at http://www.ncl.com/more/amtrak.htm or call the cruise line at (800) 327-7030. For more Amtrak details on the program, go to http://www.amtrak.com/savings/railandcruise.html Amtrak says those booking the package with them must mention promotion code V570 (25% off) or V571 (15% off), depending on the dates you wish to travel. The travel dates for each code and blackout dates are shown online at http://www.ncl.com/more/amtrak.htm
Wednesday, June 30, 2004 MIDWEST AIRLINES/AMTRAK AGREEMENT. A state transportation official has announced that Midwest Airlines and Amtrak are near completion of an interline ticketing agreement, just as construction has begun on a new Amtrak station on the Hiawatha Corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee is now being built at Gen. Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. Mitchell is a Midwest Airlines hub. AREA TRACK, SIGNALING IMPROVEMENTS. The Chicago Tribune reported today that three Midwest train corridors with hubs at Chicago's Union Station are getting track and signaling improvements, to increase train speeds and the frequency of schedules in the future. One of the three is the Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison route, which currently only has passenger service on the Chicago-Milwaukee section For the full text of the Tribune story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0406300261jun30,1,4065224.story?coll=chi-business-hed
Tuesday, June 29, 2004 AMTRAK SEES MADISON IN ITS FUTURE. Amtrak today released its updated five-year plan, including a proposal to add Madison to the Amtrak system by 2008. Wisconsin's Transportation Secretary joined Amtrak's President and officials from four other states at a Washington, D.C., news conference to express support for the Corridors Initiative. For more details: http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/corridorsplan.php Amtrak's plan also quickly won the endorsement of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), a passenger railroad advocacy group. The group's Executive Director, Ross Capon, said "Amtrak highlights the need for the federal government to step forward as a funding partner" with the states. See NARP's complete news release at http://www.narprail.org. (Click on "Resources," then "News Releases.") Amtrak has issued its own news release on the plan, at http://www.amtrak.com/press/atk20040629065.html
Monday, June 28, 2004 MILWAUKEE AIRPORT STATION. Governor Jim Doyle, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi, and other federal, state, and local officials broke ground on a $6.5 million project to build a new passenger rail station at Milwaukee County's General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA). The new station, platform, and parking facilities will be located on the western edge of the airport along existing Canadian Pacific Railway lines. The station will serve rail passengers connecting to the airport, along with rail-only passengers utilizing Amtrak's Hiawatha Service that provides seven round trips daily between Chicago and Milwaukee. When it's completed near the end of this year, Milwaukee will join other major airports like Newark International and Baltimore-Washington International Airport with Amtrak access on airport property. For more details: http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/milwairport.php OFFICIALS TRYING TO SAVE BUS SERVICE. State officials are studying whether they can do anything to save bus service to Wisconsin's small towns after Greyhound Lines Inc. announced it would drop service to 43 of 57 cities in this state, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (See the June 25 entry below for more details.) The newspaper quoted Gov. Jim Doyle as saying: "We really are going to look into this. For some of the smaller communities in Wisconsin, that really is the only public transportation they have...." Read the rest of the article at http://www.jsonline.com/traffic/news/jun04/239956.asp?format=print
Sunday, June 27, 2004 PRORAIL JULY MEETING SET. ProRail announced today that the featured speaker at its next public meeting -- on July 10 -- will be Ethan Johnson, a planner in WisDOT's Bureau of Planning. He'll focus on three areas of state rail planning at the Saturday morning. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Middleton Public Library, 7426 Hubbard Ave. Johnson, who works in the Intercity Planning Section of the Bureau, will summarize the recently- issued "Rail Issues and Opportunities Report." Copies of the report will be available at the meeting and also can be found on the state agency's Web site at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/rail-issues.htm He also will discuss the latest developments in the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MRRI) and Connections 2030, including the next steps his agency is taking as it develops a vision for multimodal transportation in Wisconsin. There also will be opportunity for questions and discussion. For more details: http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/july10mtg.php
Friday, June 25, 2004 GREYHOUND SERVICE CUTS. Greyhound announced today it was ceasing service to 43 Wisconsin communities -- out of 57 currently in its network -- as part of a cutback in 13 states and 260 communites in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, effective Aug. 18. It only added to the value of having Amtrak service in two of the 43 communities, the only ones on the list being served by Amtrak -- Portage and Columbus. For the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article explaining the impact of the service changes in Wisconsin, go to http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jun04/239403.asp Click on the small state map accompanying the story and you'll get an enlarged, easy to read, map showing routes and cities affected (and how they are affected).
Thursday, June 17, 2004 NARP'S CAPON ON WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO. Ross Capon, Executive Director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, was the guest on Ben Merens' hour-long call-in program today Wisconsin Public Radio's Ideas Network stations. Capon, whose office is in Washington, D.C., participated by phone and talked about the latest passenger-rail developments. The program also was heard worldwide on the Internet. The program was been archived and is available for listening at http://www.wpr.org/webcasting
Tuesday, June 15, 2004 AMTRAK FUNDING. The National Association of Railroad Passengers is telling its member that contacts with their U.S. Representative and two Senators now were more important than ever, and should focus on 2005 funding. "Legislators need to hear support for preservation of the existing (Amtrak) system and (Amtrak President) David Gunn's efforts to bring Amtrak to a state-of-good repair. NARP said Fiscal Year 2005, which starts this Oct. 1) and FY 2006 "are shaping up as difficult years for discretionary programs." The remarks were contained in the June 2004 issue of NARP News. For more on NARP: http://www.narprail.com
Friday, June 11, 2004 EMPIRE BUILDER CELEBRATION. Governor Jim Doyle and Amtrak President David Gunn were the featured speakers at today's celebration at Milwaukee's Amtrak station recognizing the 75th anniversary of the inaugural run of the Chicago-Seattle/Portland Empire Builder. Also participating was WisARP President John Parkyn. A ProRail delegation joined Doyle and Gunn on the westbound Builder as far as Columbus, Wis. For more details on the ceremony, Doyle's comments, and the Milwaukee-Columbus leg of the trip, http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/eb75milw.php BURBACH ON WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO. ProRail Board member Ken Burbach was interviewed by Wisconsin Public Radio today during Milwaukee ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of Amtrak's long-distance "Empire Builder." The 1 minute 25 second-story is available for listening for those with RealPlayer at http://www.wpr.org/news/newsstories.cfm
Tuesday, June 8, 2004 LA CROSSE TRIBUNE SEES 'LARGE ROLE' FOR INTERCITY PASSENGER TRAINS. What should be the future of rail passenger service in Wisconsin and the nation? The La Crosse Tribune asks that question in today's editorial, using the results of a 2002 survey initiated by ProRail and the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers to help answer it. "According to a survey commissioned by The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers, a rail advocate group, Wisconsin residents have a very positive view of rail service and would like to see it continued. In our view, that's good news, because the transportation future of Wisconsin and the nation should include as many options as possible. "According to the scientific survey conducted by a Madison research firm, 77 percent of Wisconsin residents support the idea of a nationwide passenger rail system. Given a choice of alternatives to highway congestion, 45 percent said they preferred rail, as opposed to 34 percent wanting to fly and 21 percent wanting to take a bus...." And the editorial concludes with this observation: "It's hard to talk about passenger trains when budgets are tight and the economy is uncertain. But they can play a larger role in our transportation system ˜ and reduce congestion on the highways in the process." For the complete text, go to http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/06/08/opinion/00edit08.txt
Tuesday, June 2, 2004 EMPIRE BUILDER PROCLAMATION. Governor Jim Doyle issued a proclamation today saluting the "Empire Builder" on its 75th anniversary. In the commendation, he said the train "continuess to provide an important and enjoyable transportation option connecting thousands of travelers to destinations throughout the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest while contributing greatly to Wisconsin's economy and overall quality of life." For the rest of the text, and a photo of the proclamation, http://www.madison.com/communities/prorail/pages/eb75proclamation.php
Saturday, May 15, 2004 FIRST TRAIN TO MADISON. ProRail today observed the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train into Madison, at its monthly meeting. This one was held in the old Chicago & Northwestern freighthouse in downtown Madison, now owned by Madison Gas & Electric Co. and used as part of its corporate offices. The Wisconsin State Journal provided an in-depth report in Sunday editions May 23 of the arrival in Madison of the first train, what led up to that historic event, and the impact it had on the city's development. Here's the link to the Web version: http://www.madison.com/wisconsinstatejournal/features/74865.php The print edition, now available in libraries, contained several photos and other relevant graphics.
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